News

On Feb. 25, 2016, a panel of speakers and researchers got together at the University of Waterloo for PowerShift: Rethinking Design for Energy Access, where students were encouraged to use innovation to address global problems — specifically, how to create a future where energy is available to all.

The interactive discussion and design session, hosted by AE4H (Affordable Energy For Humanity) and the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE), connected engineers to the value of development work, and addressed the need to develop ultra-efficient and ultra-affordable technologies to combat energy poverty in a sustainable way.

The event was hosted on campus for students with a focus on humanitarian engineering, international development and social innovation to shape solutions for energy access in remote and energy-impoverished communities.

Energy Day 2014 invited over 100 stakeholders from academia, industry, the community, and government agencies to explore discussion addressing energy entrepreneurship and the future of energy service delivery. The event included energy research presentations, poster displays, panel discussions, and networking opportunities for researchers, graduate and undergraduate students, community organizations and industry professionals.

The Energy Panel on Biofuels and Waste Treatment event was co-hosted with the Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology (CBB) and highlighted work being conducted in biotechnology through a panel discussion, faculty and industry representative talks, and presentations showcasing graduate student work.

The SDTC Virtual Incubator™ Workshops targeted entrepreneurs with early-stage clean technologies who planned on applying to SDTC for funding and provide those entrepreneurs and prospective applicants with key information and practical guidance to prepare a quality SOI submission. The session enabled prospective applicants to assess the potential fit of their technology with SDTC’s SD Tech Fund, and to help gain an understanding of the application process and key evaluation criteria.

The Solid Waste Management Partnerships Workshop 2014, invited 40 stakeholders from academia, industry and government agencies to advance discussions regarding research, development and demonstrations of solid waste management in Canada. The workshop explored opportunities for collaboration and integration of efforts on solid waste management research. Essentially, the workshop agenda focused on discussing three research themes, including resource recovery, energy recovery, and analysis and policy. The workshop overall, aimed at contributing to a more coordinated activity for solid waste management research and development in Canada.

The public was invited to join WISE members, industry experts and students for an enlightening day of energy research lectures, presentations, and discussions. The event provided opportunities to tour labs, meet researchers and make connections.

Advancing public dialogue on energy issues through analysis and evidence-based assessment is an important function of the Institute. A current example is the leadership WISE has shown in developing the concept of a smart energy network.

WISE members were joined by senior international leadership from Germany and Japan for an evening of casual conversation. The participants made connections, shared experiences, and learned more about the emerging field of 'smart energy'.

SEN Canada 2013 brought together 65 leaders in government, utilities, business, civil society and academia to start the discussion about the potential role of integrated, multiple-fuel, and communicative systems in Canada's energy future. The event fostered an understanding of SEN, providing an opportunity to participate in discussions that advance SEN in Canada with national and international speakers, researchers and other relevant stakeholders.